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Munnar

Overview

Munnar was the summar capital of the British sourhern India.Munnar was developed to cultivate tea plants by British although it was first discoverded by Scottish planters.Munnar is the one of the most sought after destination in Kerala. .The name Munnar is believed to mean "three rivers",referring to the town's strategic location at the confluence of the Madhurapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundaly rivers. It is pronounced "Moon-aar" short for "moonu aar" meaning 3 rivers. Three rivers-Madupetti,Nallathanni and Periyavaru which flow thorugh this town,but join some distance away from the Mnnar.Located at a height of 1600 meters above the see level,tourists from al over the world are attracted by extraordinary natural beauty of this place.The mist coverded the hills,tea plantations,waterfalls,lakes and wild life combined with pleasant weather is a fascinating experiance of visitors.There are Kerala Honeymoon Packages to Munnar,that can take tourists to most of the tourist spot here.Munnar is also Known as the Kashmir of Kerala.

Accommodation facilities with all modern amenities are now available. Cottages, Hotels and home stay facilities are common here. Newlywed couples spending their honeymoon, tourists who love trekking or wild life enthusiasts they all find this an ideal place for spending their vacations. The popular tourist spots extend several kilometers around Munnar. During a tour one can view the mist cladded mountains, deep valleys and lush green tea plantations. Occasionally during the drive one may sometimes see wild elephants grazing at a distance. There are also several places suitable for trekking. Munnar is also known for Neelakurinji, a rare plant which flowers only once in twelve years. The ‘kurinji season’ in Munnar is a magnificent sight when the hills and valleys get bathed in the blue of the Neelakurinji blooms.

Munnar is famous for its tea plantations, many of them started by the British. The "Kannan Devan" brand of Tea from the Tata is cultivated and processed here.The strobilanthus ("neelakurinji" in Malayalam, the local language), a blue flower which blooms only every 12 years, is found in this region. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, at 2,695 m.

Attractions and Places to Visit

The Mattupetty lake and dam , just a short distance from the farm, is a very beautiful picnic spot.Mattupetty situated 13 km from the Munnar.The sprawling Kundala tea plantations and the Kundala lake are other attractions in the vicinity. DTPC Idukki provides boating facilities on the Mattupetty Dam. Speed Launch and slow speed motor boats are available on hire.

The natural habitat of the Niligiri tahr , Rajamala is 2695 Mts above sea level. Half the world's population of the rare mountain goat or tahr which is fast becoming extinct, is now found here.The Niligiri tahr in Rajamala are now to be found in small herds found in Eravikulam-Rajamala region. The total number of Niligiri Tahrs in Rajamala is estimated to be over 1300.It is 15 km away from Munnar.

It is one of the favorite destination for tourists. This park is home to the endangered species called the Niligiri Tahr. Private vehicles are not allowed inside the sanctuary. Special vehicles that belongs to the park carries tourists inside the sanctuary. The park timing is from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30p.m. and it remains open seven days a week. The entry fee is Rs.65 per person for Indian nationals. For foreign nationals the entry fee is Rs.245 per person. There is also extra charge for cameras. The park remains closed every year from the first week of February to the first week of April every year. Anamudi the highest peak in South India can be seen from Eravikulam national park.

After Eravikulam National Park it is possible to see water cascading down rocks.The water falls are one of the best waterfalls close to munnar.The route to this waterfall itself passes through places of unmatched natural beauty and during the drive itself one can see the tea estates and scenic beauty around. There is an entry fee of Rs.10 per person and it is open from 10:00am to 7:00pm on all days.

This is located in Munnar town itself. There are old photographs displaying the history of Munnar. A documentary about the history of tea plantations here is shown here. There is also a model of tea factory and the various process involved in producing tea can be seen here. There is an entry fee of Rs.75 for adults and Rs.35 for children. Separate fee for Rs.20 for camera.
The temperature in Munnar is approximately cool and pleasant. In winter temperature may come down to 5°C and summer the maximum temperature is 25°C. For people intending to visit all the major tourist spots here, it is highly recommended to spend at least two nights in Munnar.